Loaded Cauliflower Casserole is steamed cauliflower combined with cream cheese, sour cream, sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, bacon, and chives. Cauliflower has never tasted this good! This delicious cauliflower side dish is quick, easy to make, and low-carb-friendly.
The Best Cauliflower Casserole
This Loaded Cauliflower Bake is AMAZING. Finding new ideas for the same old veggies that everyone in the family loves can be hard work. This, my friends, is a real winner. If you have not tried any of my recipes in a while, you must try this one! Even my picky son loves this one. Forget the loaded baked potato casserole and make this lower-carb, better-tasting version with cauliflower. If you like cauliflower, you must try, cauliflower au gratin, cheesy cauliflower soup, broccoli cauliflower salad, and whole roasted cauliflower.
How to make Cauliflower Casserole
First, steam or boil your cauliflower in a large pot until fork tender. Then drain it well because you don’t want any added moisture in this dish. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Slowly and gently stir in the steamed cauliflower, bacon, and chives.
Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and sprinkle with a little more bacon. Bake until the cheese is melted and gooey. Garnish with chives and serve hot.
Beth’s Recipe Tips
- The cauliflower should be steamed or boiled until it is fork-tender.
- Spray the casserole dish well with nonstick spray, as it makes for easier cleanup.
- For optimum flavor, I recommend full-fat sour cream, cream cheese, and cheese for this recipe. It just tastes better with it.
- Other cheeses that work well in this casserole are fontina, Gruyere, Pepper Jack, and Parmesan cheese.
- If low carb is not your thing, combine a cup of panko bread crumbs with 3 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle over the top before baking.
- Fresh chives really make this casserole pop! They are worth the added expense and trouble.
- Other garnishes that work well include chopped parsley or green onions.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. I love lots of pepper on this dish.
- This Loaded Cauliflower Casserole can be served as a full meal. It really is very filling, but if more protein is desired, consider adding roasted or grilled chicken or cooked ground beef.
Can you prepare cauliflower casserole in advance?
In a hurry? You can steam the cauliflower ahead of time. As a matter of fact, you can prepare the whole dish in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Bring it out of the refrigerator and set it on the counter for about thirty minutes to warm up a bit. Then pop it in the oven for twenty-five minutes before serving.
Can you use frozen cauliflower?
Yes, follow the instructions for steaming the cauliflower and drain well. Then proceed with the recipe the same as using fresh cauliflower. Generally speaking, frozen cauliflower is more economical.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven on low or in the microwave at reduced power.
To freeze, first cool completely. Then, double wrap with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
More vegetable side dishes you will love!
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs cauliflower florets cut in bite-size pieces
- 1 box 8 ounces of cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded
- 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese finely shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 6 slices crispy cooked bacon coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives reserve one tablespoon for the top
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Steam the cauliflower until fork tender; approximately 10 minutes. Drain well in a colander.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until creamy and smooth. Gently stir in cauliflower, 1/2 of the bacon, and chives. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
- Spoon into a casserole dish and top with the remaining bacon. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Top with remaining chives and serve.
Notes
- The cauliflower should be steamed or boiled until it is fork-tender.
- Spray the casserole dish well with nonstick spray, as it makes for easier cleanup.
- For optimum flavor, I recommend full-fat sour cream, cream cheese, and cheese for this recipe. It just tastes better with it.
- Other cheeses that work well in this casserole are fontina, Gruyere, Pepper Jack, and Parmesan cheese.
- If low carb is not your thing, combine a cup of panko bread crumbs with 3 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle over the top before baking.
- Fresh chives really make this casserole pop! They are worth the added expense and trouble.
- Other garnishes that work well include chopped parsley or green onions.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. I love lots of pepper on this dish.
- This Loaded Cauliflower Casserole can be served as a full meal. It really is very filling, but if more protein is desired, consider adding roasted or grilled chicken or cooked ground beef.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven on low or in the microwave at reduced power.
- To freeze, first cool completely. Then double wrap with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Nutrition
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Matt Taylor
Wow, yummy! You had me at cheese and bacon…lol 🙂 Such an awesome recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Matt! So glad that you liked it! We love cheese and bacon too!
Natalie
We have been making a lot more recipes with cauliflower lately & this will definitely get added!! Looks so flavorful!
Taylor
So delicious with tons of great flavor! Yum!
Toni
This was really amazing! Thank you for the recipe!!
Katie
Made this for my family and it was a hit! So good!
wilhelmina
This casserole was so good! I made it as a side dish, but next time I will make the main dish, so hearty and yummy!
Valerie
My husband loves cauliflower. He would be delighted to see this casserole on the table, it looks good.
Jennifer
Made this for a cookout tonight. I wanted a side dish that I could eat. It was the first dish gone! Everyone loved it and thought it was scalloped potatoes. Next time I will double the recipe.
Beth Pierce
That is awesome! I am so glad that everyone liked it!
Chichi
This casserole is delicious. I love it. Have made it over and over
Tammy
Ooh this looks so good! 😀 I love cauliflower but I’ve never made it in a casserole…perfect low-carb dish for the season ;D
Sapana
I’ve never made casserole with cauliflower until now and I’m sure it won’t be my last time – thank you for such a delicious recipe!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome! So glad that you liked it! I love cauliflower.
Beth
This looks wonderful! The addition of bacon just puts it over the top! Yum!
Tawnie Kroll
This recipe was incredible, the whole family loved it and we cant wait to make it again!
Terra
WOW! That was fantastic. I didn’t have chives, so I used some green onions instead. It was so good, my husband and kids (5.5&1.5) loved it! Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Terra! I am so glad that you liked it!!
Barb Meiklejohn
I made this tonight and it is awesome! I am a single person so I cut the recipe in half. I used onion and chive cream cheese spread in place of the cream cheese block, and turkey bacon pieces. Yummy!
Beth Pierce
Awesome Barb! Thanks for the tips and so glad that you liked it!!
Celeste Porto Colburn
I have not made this as of yet because I do not buy Fresh Cauliflower. I always buy Frozen as its mixed with other Veggies. This Recipe sounds so Delish I am seriously thinking of buying fresh to make it for my first ever fresh dish! WOW! Thank You for the Inspiration!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome. I think you will love it. It really is delicious.